US President Joe Biden on Friday welcomed the leaders of South Korea and Japan to a summit at Camp David where the three countries are set to deepen military and economic ties as they seek to project unity in the face of China’s rise and nuclear threats from North Korea.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told a news briefing the meeting would announce “significant steps” to enhance trilateral security cooperation, including a commitment to consult each other in times of crisis.

Sullivan said the steps would include a multi-year military exercise plan, deeper coordination and integration on ballistic missile defence and improved information sharing, crisis communication and policy coordination “that goes along with responding to contingencies in the Indo-Pacific”.

He said the leaders would also unveil new economic and energy security initiatives including an early warning mechanism for supply chain disruptions.

Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are expected to have several hours to strategise at the mountainside presidential retreat over how to manage tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

“Strengthening ties between our democracies has long been a priority for me,” Biden said. “Our countries are stronger and the world would be safer as we stand together.”

Biden praised the visiting leaders for their “political courage” in coming together.